Carton for ice cream and the like



June 15, 1948. s. H. BERCH CARTON FOR ICE CREAM OR THE LIKE Filed Oct.31, 1944 JNVEN TOR. 5/?1051. H BEECH.

' Arm.

Patented June 15,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- 2.443.530 oan'ronr'onroacnmmmnrnnmiissmammnevedrnmscsm.

Application October 31, 1944. Serial No. 561,235

This invention relates to a container, and particularly pertains to acarton for ice-cream and the like.

In the retail sale of ice-cream, this product is either dispensed from abulk supply or in packages which measure the ice-cream in 'quarts, pintsor half-pints. When ice-cream is sold in packages in this unit ofmeasure the price of the package is often an oil-number of cents anddoes not have a fixed unit of monetary value. These packages are usuallykept in cooling compartments in grocery stores and the like, where theyare accessible to the customers and from which compartments the customermay select such packages as he chooses, both with referen to thequantity purchased and thefiavor.' 1n the event the purchaser desiresto-obtain icecream of more than one flavor, it is necessary to buypackages which may carry more helpings of ice-cream than is required inorder to obtain a desired assortment of flavors. It is thereforedesirable to provide packaged ice-cream which has a fixed unit ofmonetary value and represents an individual helping of ice-cream, eitherfor home or fountain use. The other alternative to buying packagedice-cream as now available is to buy ice-cream in bulk. This has manydisadvantages. In the first place it is often unsanitary due to the factthat the ice-cream must be scooped from a large container which istemporarily open to the atmosphere, and in which it is necessary to usea scoop which might be unsanitary. The retail sale of ice-cream frombulk does not insure a uniform profit for the dealer or the consumer.This is due primarily to the fact that there is a large percentage ofshrinkage in bulk ice-cream, since ice-cream is practicallyfifty-percent air and .is gradually reduced in volume in the bulkcontainer. This encourages the practice to gradually reduce the size ofhelping at soda fountains and the like as the container becomes empty,in order to compensate for shrinkage in volume and the profit loss.Furthermore, the dealer experiencesa loss due to spoilage, particularlythat caused of necessity by rinsing the ice-cream scoop in water beforedipping it into the ice-cream. If the water is warm there is 'a tendencyto cause the ice-cream to melt, and in any event the drops of waterwhich fallinto the ice-cream freeze into small beads of ice whichdetract from the edibilityof the product. The consumer also gets anuncertain'value for his money, due to the fact that when the ice-creamis sold in bulk it may vary in consistency so that it is more or lessdifficult 2 to repack in a carton. This is further true since thecompactness of the mass of ice-cream in the carton may be relativelyloose or solid. 5 When it is packed too solid the transaction isunprofitable to the dealer, since the normal air content is compressedfrom the mass of ice-cream so that it is not in its natural state andrequires a larger volume of ice-cream to fill the carton thanrepresented by a measured unit of ice-cream within the storagecontainer. It will also be obvious that if the carton is filled looselythe customer will not obtain proper value for the purchase price. It isdesirable, therefore, to provide a unit of measure for ice-creamrepresenting an individual helping as might be served at a soda fountainin ice-cream sodas or served as a dessert, said individual helpingshaving a fixed monetary value per unit and being dispensed in individualpackages into which theice-cream is placed without being touched by thehuman hand, so that it is sanitary, said carton being, further designedto insure that the ice-cream content thereof may be easily and quicklyunwrapped and disassociated from the walls of the carton even though thepackages have been in storage at freezing temperatures.

It is the principal object of the present invention, therefore, toprovide a simple and inexpensive carton within which a measured quantityunit of ice-cream may be wrapped or enclosed by a full automaticmechanical method, and which carton insures that the ice-cream contentmay be quickly emptied therefrom without requiring the use of a spoon orother scraping means, the carton having the further advantage of makingit possible for the ice-cream to be served therein with the aid of aspoon or to be eaten therefrom in the same manner as when ice-cream iseaten from a cone.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a carton blankformed of an imperforate sheet of cardboard or the like scored in amanner to form an enclosure for a unit quantity of icecream, andprovided with interlocking means whereby the parts of the blank whenfolded aroundthe quantity of ice-cream will produce a Fig. 2 is a viewin plan showing the blank as partially folded.

Fig. 3 is a view in plan showing the blank as completely folded andindicating the side folds whereby gussets are formed tending to preventpositive adherence of a mass of ice-cream to the walls of the carton andacting to quickly separate the mass of ice-cream from the carton wallswhen the carton is opened.

Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation showing the carton in the conditiondisclosed in Fig. 3 preparatory to final closing of the carton.

Fig. is a view similar. to Fig. 4 showing the manner in which the cartonis closed.

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective showing the package after it has beenopened and indicating particularly the relationship of the quantity ofmaterial which had been packed therein.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings,'it will be seenthat a carton blank is provided for making a cube-shaped container. Itis to be understood that rectangular containers having walls ofdifi'erent proportions than those illustrated may be made, and it is tobe explained that while the carton is described as being particularlyadapted for use with ice-cream that it may be used to advantage withother products, such for example as cheese. The carton blank may be madeof cardboard or paper of suitable stock and comprises a substantiallysquare main field i ll having a closing flap I at one end thereof and atop flap 2 at the opposite end thereof. The main field ||l of the blankis divided into nine separate fields, here shown as forming a squarecenter field i3 bounded by opposite side fields i4 and I5 and end fields6 and H. At the corners of the center field iii are gusset fields 8, i9,and 2|. The fields |3 to l9. inclusive, are here shown as being of thesame size and shape. The fields 20 and 2| have portions 22 and 23 cutaway, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 to form edges 24 and 25,the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. One side of each ofthe fields l3, l6 and I! is delineated by a score line 26. This scoreline is a continuation of one edge of the flap ii and is indicated at21. The opposite end of this score line is continued across the top fiapl2 and is indicated at 26'. The diametrically opposite sides of thefields i3, i6 and I! are defined by a score line 28, which is acontinuation of the edge 23 of the closing flap I The opposite end ofthe score line 28 continues as indicated at 28' to cross the top fiap 2.Thus, the top flap I2 is subdivided to provide sealing tangs 3|! and 3|which fold at right angles to the top fiap i2 along the score lines 26'and 28' and have outer edges 32 which are at ninety degrees to the scorelines 26' and 28 and terminate in arcuate edges 33 which are describedby a radius struck from the point of intersection of the scoring lines26' and 28' and the diagonal edges 32 when the tangs are folded, so thatthey will swing into position, as will be hereinafter described.Transverse score lines 34, 35, 36 and 31 act to define edges ofcontiguous fields H to 2|, inclusive. The gusset fields i8 and ii! aredivided diagonally by score lines 38 and 33, respectively, which linesextend from corners of the field |3 to the outer corners of the mainfield l0. Diagonal score lines 40 and 4| are formed on the fields 20 and2| and are at right angles to the score lines 26 and 28, although theydo not extend to the exact corners of the fields 20 and 2| for a purposeto be hereinafter described. The gusset field i8 thus provides portionsl8 and I8. The gusset field l9 provides portions laand la The gusset.field 23 provides portions 26 and 23 and the gusset field 2| providesportions 2|- and 2|".

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 to 4, inclusive, the method of formingthe carton is shown. Here it will be seen that when the fields i8 and i1are folded upwardly the gusset fields I8, I 3, 20 and 2| will foldoutwardly as the fields I4 and i5 fold to perpendicular positions atopposite sides of the horizontally disposed center field l3. As thefolding motion is continued the fields i6 and I! will be brought to aperpendicular position with relation to the center field i3, and willproduce a container which is here shown as being cubical. The gussetfields l8 and I! are then folded inwardly against the side fields i4 andIS with the portions l8 and I3 lying innermost, and the portions l8 andI 9' lying outermost. It will thus be seen that neither triangularportions of the gusset fields |8 nor i3 come into intimate contact withthe contents of the container, and are loosely held so that they willhave a slight resilient action as distinguished from the action of arigid fiat wall lying against the contents of the container. The gussetfields 20 and 2| are then folded over the gusset fields l8 and I9. Thiswill cause the portions 20 and2| to fold in against the portions i8 andl9 and will present the gusset portions 20 and 2| outwardly. It willthus be noted that the edges 24 and 25 of these gusset portions will liebelow the upper edges of the side wall formed by the folded panels, andwill thus .give access to sealing pockets 24' and 25', which arepresented upwardly to receive the sealing tangs 30 and 3|. When thecarton has been folded, as shown in Fig. 3, it may be placed within a.frame'or mold so that it will be held while it is filled, after whichthe closing flap is folded over the top of the contents of thecontainer, and due to the side wall thickness produced by the panels Mand I5 and the associated folded gusset panels will be supportedsubstantially out of contact with the contents of the container. Thesealing fiaps 30 and 3| are then inserted into the pockets 24' and 25'and the package is folded down into its closed and sealed position, asshown in Fig. 5 of the drawing. The filled and completed package maythen be dispensed either for use in soda fountains, restaurants and thelike, where individual helpings of ice-cream are desired. It may also bedispensed by dealers who usually sell bulk ice-cream or by dealers whomake a freezing cabinet available to the customers so they can helpthemselves.

Attention is directed to the fact that when the carton is folded eachsurface which contacts the ice-cream or other material packed therein iscontinuous and smooth from corner to corner of the container and doesnot present any folds or seams in the inner faces of the carton walls,for example, the inner walls represented by the fields inclusive. Thefields l8, I9, 20 and 2| are folded exteriorly of the carton with thefields 20 and 2| outermost so that the tangs 3| and 33 may be insertedbetweenthe fields 23'- and 20 and 2| and 2|".

It is contemplated that the individual packages shall have a unit price,such for example as five cents. It will be seen that by this method ofmerchandising a customer may be free to select an assorted number ofhelpings of ice-cream without buying a larger quantity than desired, andthat the dealer will be able to buy the packages at a fixed unit priceand sell the packages spoilage or shrinkage. a

' when the ice-cream is to be removed from 'the carton. eitherfor-serving in a public eatin place or at home. it is only necessary tolift the freeedge of the sealing flap I2. This will withdraw the tangs80 and 3| from the pockets 24' and 25'. and then due to the inherentresiliency of the folded gusset panels 20 and 2| they will swingoutwardly. 'At this time it will be found that the closing fiap II hasnot adhered tightly to the upper surface of .the block of ice-creamwithin the carton, and that it'may be easily swung upwardly andoutwardly toward the position shown in Fig. 3. ,By then grasping the topflap l2 and the closing flap H these fiaps may be' pulled in oppositedirections and will cause the gussets to completely unfold. As the freeedges of the panels II and I1 are forced downwardly to the plane of thebottom panel I: the panels [4- and I5 will tend to pull away from theopposite sides of the block of ice-cream, or other commodity indicatedin Fig. 6 at 2, thus presenting the block of ice-cream so that it maybeeasily-removed from the blank by turning the blank over and allowing theblock 42 to drop into a glass or dish.

It will be noted that when the carton is opened and emptied the fold i2is first lifted to pull the tangs II and 33 from between the folded sidefields, after which the field II, which had completely covered the topof the contents of the carton, is then lifted. The. operator then holdsthe fields H and I2, turns the carton upside down, and pulls the fieldsII and I2 apart. This causes the side gussets to unfold and to draw thefields l'l, I2, l3, I6 and I! in substantial alignment. The fingers ofthe two hands may then be placed under the unfolded side gussets offields i8, i9, 20 and 2!. This will pull the fields i4 and i5 away fromthe contents of the container so that it may be shaken loose from thebottom field l3. This entire operation is performed without touching thecontents of the container in any way. It .is to be further noted thatsince the gussets did not fold inwardly there was no possibility for theice-cream or other contents toget in between the folds and to preventeasy emptying of the package; and'furthermore, it eliminates waste ofice-cream which might adhere in the folded areas.

It will thus be seen that the carton here disclosed provides simple andinexpensive means for packaging ice-cream and food products undersanitary conditions without being touched by human hands either inplacing the commodity within the package or removing it therefrom, andthat the merchandising of a commodity in the carton here disclosedinsures a definite margin of profit to the dealer and a definitecommodity of fixed value to the consumer.

di'ate side wall and disposed exteriorly or said intermediate side wallsthe upper edges of said folded gusset fields agreeing submntially inlength with the width of: the side walls against which said fields arefolded, a cover fiap' at one end of said blank for covering thecompartment formed by the blank, a top flap adapted to overlie saidcover flap, and tangs. carried by the top flap to be inserted into foldsof the outermost gusset fields to temporarily hold the container in itsclosed position.

2. A carton for packaging a brick of ice-cream or the like, said cartonbeing formed to be temporarily folded around the product and to beunfolded to a flat position when access to the product is desired, saidcarton comprising a rectangular sheet of material scored to form a cen-While I have shown the preferred form of my invention as now known tome, it willbe understood that various changes may be made incombination, construction and arrangement of parts by those skilled inthe art, without departing from the spirit of the invention as .claimed.

Having thus described my invention what I.

claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A container for a brick of ice-cream or the 'like, comprising a sheetof material scored to define folds representing. the bottom and sidewalls of the container and folded gusset fields adapted-to overlapeach-otherand an intermeter' field defining the bottom of the carton,contiguous fields at the edges thereof to form the sides of the carton,gusset fields at the corners of the blank adapted to be folded to formtriangular gussets when the side fields are folded perpendicular to thebottom field, said gusset fields at each side of the blank being foldedupon each other exteriorly. of and against an intermediate side wall,the upper edges of said folded gusset fields agreeing substantially inlength'with the width of the side wall against which said fields arefolded, whereby a loosely held and folded laminated wall structure willhe formed at opposite sides of the product within the carton asdistinguished from a rigid wall tending to adhere to the product, acover fiapformed along the outer edge of one of the sidefiaps andadapted to lie over the top of the compartment, a top fiap formed alongthe .outer edge of a side wall opposite to that carrying the cover flapand adapted to lie thereover, and tangs carried at opposite sides of thetop flap and extending the length thereof to enter folds of the gussetsand to temporarily hold the carton in its closed position.

3. A wrapper for a brick of ice-cream or the like, said brick having sixfiat sides, the wrapper comprising a sheet of material scoredlongitudinally and transversely to define a center field upon which saidbrick rests, opposite side fields adapted to form' side walls of acontainer when folded perpendicularly to the center field, opposite endfields adapted to form end' walls of the container when foldedperpendicularly to the center field, gusset fields agreeing in lengthwith the contiguous side fields and being formed at the comers of theblank and having diagonal score marks whereby the gusset fields willfold to form triangular .gussets, the gussets on one side of oppositeend fields overlapping each other and a complementary side field andexteriorly of said side field, whereby the openings in the folds of thegussets will be presented uppermost and will extend the width of theside fields and lie thereagainst, a cover flap formed along the outeredge of one end wall and being adapted to cover the compartment formedby the bottom and side walls, a top fiap formed along the outer edge ofthe opposite end wall and being adapted to overlap the cover flap, tangsformedialong the opposite marginal edges of the cover flap and thelength thereof and adapted to enter the fold of the outermost gussets,whereby the wrapper will be held in a closed position around the brick.

4. A container for a brick of ice-cream or the like, comprising a sheetof material scored to define folds representing the bottom and sidea,44a,sao

7 8 overlapping eachother and an intermediate side wall and disposedexteriorly oi said intermediate REFERENCES CITED side walls, the upperedges of said folded gusset The following references are of record inthe fields agreeingsubstantially in lelz ggth s31th the file of thispatent: width of the side walls. against w ch d fields are folded, a topcover flap integral with one of 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS said side wallsand tangs carried at the opposite Number Name Date sides of the topcover flap to be inserted into 615,417 Wilcox Dec. 6, 1898 folds of theoutermost gusset fields to tempo- 386,958 Hollett Apr. 28, 1908 rarllyhold the container in its closed position. 10 1,567,594 Hitzert Dec. 29,1925 SAMUEL H. BERCH.

